Report: Cave Rock is in doubt for Rebel Stakes

Photo: Alex Evers / Eclipse Sportswire

Cave Rock's first start since finishing second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile might not come in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes as planned.

Trainer Bob Baffert told Daily Racing Form, "it's getting tight. I leave the door open; it's not closed completely."

See HRN rankings of Kentucky Derby 2023 contenders.

Cave Rock won his first three starts, including the Del Mar Futurity (G1) and the American Pharoah (G1) before being overtaken by Forte and losing the Breeders' Cup Juvenile by 1 1/2 lengths.

DRF reported that the Arrogate colt is back in training at Santa Anita, but he has had no published works since his last race.

Baffert told DRF that rain in Southern California had set back his training plans. "He's galloping, he hasn't breezed yet."

The DRF report noted that Baffert's Triple Crown winner American Pharoah won two Grade 1 races as a juvenile but did not start in the Breeders' Cup, and he didn't have his first published work as a 3-year-old until Feb. 2, 2015.

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